Monaco, a tiny city-state on the French Riviera, doesn’t track poverty rates. This is partially because the principality has no income tax, according to the Monaco Statistics agency. But it’s also due to the fact that Monaco is so wealthy that poverty essentially does not exist, two local economists told Business Insider. An estimated one-third …
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7 of the world’s most haunted castles and mansions — and a look at their dark histories
Some of the most haunted castles and mansions in the world are rooted in history, folklore, and fables. Serving as time capsules of a sort, the properties tell the stories of those who came before — and those who many believe have yet to pass on. These seven once-luxurious residences are among the spookiest places …
Airbnb hosts reportedly used closed Facebook groups to gossip about guests and share lewd, personal information
Thousands of Airbnb and VRBO hosts reportedly used closed Facebook groups to gossip about the guests staying in their short-term rentals, according to screenshots collected by travel site Skift. The report identified two groups: “Airbnb Guests Blacklist” and “Airbnb Host Community — Vent, Recommend, and Discuss,” where hosts shared anecdotes about guests they found to …
The best canteens
Even in a world filled hydration belts, collapsible water bottles, and backpack water bladders, you can’t go wrong with a great canteen. A canteen offers durability, ease of use, and convenience other hydration products just can’t match. Our top pick for the best canteen you can buy is the Pinty G.I. Army Stainless Steel canteen. …
The best rash guards
A long-sleeved, hooded rash guard is the best for most people because it offers the most protection and compresses to your body without trapping too much water and slowing you down. Our top pick is the Hurley Quick Dry rash guard because it’s lightweight, looks decent, comes with UPF 50 sun protection, and dries quickly. …
The Woolworth Building and its iconic green roof have been a defining part of the NYC skyline for 106 years. Take a look inside its most expensive listing, a $30 million condo.
The Woolworth Building is an iconic, 106-year-old New York City skyscraper. The 58-story downtown Manhattan tower was the world’s tallest building from its completion in 1913 to 1930. After a five-year restoration, the Woolworth Building is unveiling a set of luxury residences ranging in price from $2.85 million to $29.85 million. We got into the …
By using a rewards credit card to pay my taxes, I earn more than 40,000 points each year
As a freelancer, I have to pay quarterly taxes. While I don’t exactly enjoy paying taxes, it’s is a great opportunity to earn points and miles. I earn more than 40,000 points per year paying my taxes with a rewards credit card. Pick a card that earns a high return on non-bonus spending, like the …
An abandoned hotel in California was once a popular destination for Hollywood celebrities. Now some think it’s haunted.
The Byron Hot Springs Hotel is an abandoned resort in northern California. Over the last century, it has hosted Hollywood celebrities, housed prisoners of war, and attracted worshippers from the Greek Orthodox church. But the building has been vacant for decades. Today, the hotel lures curious spectators, some of whom believe the property is haunted. …
I love the Beatles, and I took the ultimate fan trip to Liverpool. Here’s how to book it with Amex and Chase points.
The Beatles got their start in Liverpool, UK, which is home to a number of Beatles-themed venues and a Beatles-themed hotel. Chase and American Express points are perfect for a flight to the UK and accommodations at The Hard Days Night hotel in Liverpool, just a few hours by train from central London. You can …
I went on a 3-day camping and hiking trip led by REI’s travel company — here’s why I recommend REI Adventures to anyone
REI doesn’t only sell outdoor gear. You can also go on an outdoor adventure anywhere in the world through its travel company REI Adventures. REI Adventures offers more than 250 guided trips for a variety of activity levels, durations, and activities (hiking, camping, kayaking, backpacking, and more). Though trips can be pricey, you do get …
I compared the Away Bigger Carry-On bag to my Samsonite luggage, and it convinced me to switch to the newer, trendier brand
On a recent domestic trip, I tried out the Instagram-famous Away luggage for the first time. The company with a $1.4 billion valuation as of May 2019 offers a fleet of different luggage sets with lifetime warranties. I was thinking about purchasing an Away bag before my trip, but when I saw the price, I …
Hotel review: The consistently hip Ace Hotel in NoMad is a go-to base for creative types
The Ace Hotel New York is a consistently hip option for both out-of-town visitors and native New Yorkers who want a trendy base within an equally buzzy neighborhood. On-site offerings are as much of a draw as the hotel itself. Well-respected outlets such as The Breslin, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Black Seed Bagel, and all attached, …
Best Western rolled out a new boutique hotel in 2018 that promotes modern design and wellness. I spent $112 on a room in Kentucky — and it exceeded my expectations in more ways than one.
GLo is Best Western’s new boutique hotel brand, focused on “hip” design and wellness amenities. The first Best Western GLo opened in Texas at the end of 2018, and seven more have opened in 2019. I spent a night at a Best Western GLo on a recent work trip to Lexington, Kentucky, in a $112-a-night …
The top-rated hotel of 2019 is a swanky Beverly Hills spot that just dropped $22 million on a redesign. The manager says they’ve used 3 key strategies to capture millennial interest.
The SLS Beverly Hills was recently named the top-rated hotel by travelers in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. The award comes on the heels of the 10-year-old hotel’s $22 million guest room renovation. Business Insider spoke to the general manager of the SLS, Christophe Thomas, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the …
95% of LGBTQ travelers report having hidden their sexual orientation while on a business trip, with the most common reason being safety
Allison Hope is a writer and native New Yorker who favors humor over sadness, travel over television, and coffee over sleep. You can follow her on Twitter. She identifies as a lesbian, and has been out for over 20 years. But she often hides her identity when traveling. Her job — in communications — has …
The best soft coolers
Soft coolers are great for keeping your food and drinks cold when you’re hiking, camping, fishing, or picnicking. While it may be overkill for some, the Yeti Hopper M30 is the best all-around soft cooler with its signature HYDROLOK zipper, big capacity, and rugged build quality. To the fisherman, a reliable cooler makes the difference …
My wife and I have dozens of travel credit cards, but we slowed down our applications to prioritize the Chase rewards we value the most
My wife and I have been using rewards credit cards to earn free travel for our family of eight since 2013. We’ve opened over 40 cards between the two of us to take advantage of sign-up bonuses and to maximize our spending. However, since issuers have introduced restrictions that limit how many cards you can …
Hotel review: Le Méridien San Francisco is a great option for comfort, value, and excellent last-minute deals
Looking for a last-minute solo stay in San Francisco, I selected for its combination of location, comfort, and relatively cheap price. Le Méridien is a renowned luxury brand within the portfolio, offering the chance to stay at a hotel that can typically be quite expensive while earning loyalty points. Despite my last minute booking, I …
5 of the best ways to fly to Japan on points and miles, so you can save your money for sushi and souvenirs
Japanese is a bucket-list travel destination, and with good reason. But it’s not cheap. If you want to visit, one way to cut down on expenses is to book your flights with points and miles. Luckily, it isn’t hard to earn enough points from top rewards credit cards to book a flight to Japan, especially …
Singapore Airlines’ luxurious new suites are like hotel rooms in the sky. Here are the strategies I used to score a $4,000 ticket with points.
Singapore Airlines’ new suites are more like hotel rooms in the sky than airplane seats. Luxurious leather armchairs, separate beds dressed in Lalique linens, and gourmet meal service on Wedgwood china are just a few of the treats in store for passengers. Booking with cash could cost you more than $12,500, but luckily you have …
6 culture clashes I had as an American woman traveling alone in Russia
This summer, I spent 12 days traveling through Russia for Business Insider. I went inside the Kremlin in Moscow, visited a diamond mine in Siberia, and spent two days riding the legendary Trans-Siberian Railway. While my travels were mostly smooth sailing, I did experience some cultural clashes. At first, I thought most Russians I saw …
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Hotel review: The Chatwal, a Marriott luxury property in Midtown, commands a high price but offers a resplendent stay that’s classic New York
is a high-end hotel in Midtown Manhattan, housed in a landmark building with swanky Art Deco vibes. Set two blocks from Bryant Park and Times Square, The Chatwal is close to major New York attractions, but the refined, opulent interiors feel wholly removed from the crowds. Rooms start at $500 per night, though large room …
The best dopp kit
Dopp kits are grown-up, sophisticated travel bags that hold all your toiletries when you’re traveling on the go. Simplicity is the mark of sophistication, and the American-made Blue Claw Co. waxed canvas dopp kit has both in spades, thanks to its high-end build quality, spacious spill-resistant interior, and old-school style. Traveling can be fun, but …
Major hospitality chains are buying up independent boutique hotels, and it’s creating a new challenge that’s at odds with the main reason people travel in the first place
Independently run hotels are on the decline, Julie Weed wrote for the New York Times. Boutique hotels are joining or becoming affiliates of large hotel chains to benefit from bigger marketing and operational budgets, Weed reported. Marriott International, Accor and IHG are among the major hospitality chains purchasing collections of boutique hotels and assembling what …
The Uber credit card was already great for earning cash back, but now it’s even better for ride-sharers, with 5% back on Uber purchases
The Uber credit card from Barclays has been a strong cash-back credit card ever since it launched in 2019. One “quirk” is that it’s offered a higher cash-back rate on dining purchases (4% back) than on Uber spending (2% back), but that’s changing now. Barclays and Uber just announced some updates to the card. You’ll …
The best packing cubes
Packing is, frankly, a pretty awful experience that’s second only to unpacking. The eBags Packing Cubes make the entire ordeal more pleasurable by allowing you to fit more stuff into your luggage. See also: The best carry-on luggage you can buy I often think that I would enjoy packing for vacation a lot more if …
Air Canada was voted ‘Best Business Class in North America,’ but the two business class lounges we visited didn’t entirely live up to the hype
Air Canada has earned several awards, including being named the “Best Business Class in North America” during the 2019 Skytrax World Airline Awards. I flew the airline’s Business Class — Signature Class for one leg of the trip and standard business for the other — on a trip from Vancouver to New York to see …